The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois administers two grant programs that support teachers with the goal of enhancing and improving the quality of education in our community. The applications for both programs are open now and will remain open until January 13, 2025.

1. DKG MINI GRANTS: Designed for teachers seeking financial support for special classroom activities and materials. This unique program is provided by teachers, for teachers! 

   The Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Society is a group of professional women Educators from Boone and Winnebago counties, who financially support quality education. The Zetas established the DKG Mini Grant Program to award grants to Early Childhood through Grade 12 Educators teaching in Boone and Winnebago Counties. 

   The DKG mini grants may be used to fund special classroom activities, purchase educational materials, attend workshops, or implement any other project that enhances or improves the quality of education. The project should:

   1. Improve and enhance a classroom’s academic program,
   2. Encourage creativity in students,
   3. Involve a broad range of students,
   4. Have the potential for being replicated, and
   5. Be implemented in the same academic year in which the grant is awarded.

   View full program details at https://cfnil.org/grants/dkg-mini-grant. 

2. MARION L. BATES FUND FOR FACULTY ENRICHMENT: Designed for teachers seeking financial support to further their intellectual development and interests. Established in memory of Marion Bates, lifelong educator and longstanding member and secretary of the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education.

   Grants up to $4,000 per individual are available to teachers who have three (3) or more years of employment with Rockford Public Schools District 205. Eligible enrichment activities are those that:

   1. Involve personal or professional growth for the applicant.
   2. May include additional study or pertinent travel.
   3. Show educational linkage to inspire students to be more engaged in their studies, whether through an applicant's classroom, extracurricular, community education, or teaching activities.
   4. Demonstrate quality and creativity in pursuing enrichment activities.
   5. Provide opportunities to expand and extend the applicant's range of personal experiences.

   View full program details at https://cfnil.org/grants/bates 

To apply for either program, educators must complete an online application, accessed via CFNIL's online grant portal. All applications must be submitted by Monday, January 13, 2025, by 5 p.m. Grant recipients will be notified by March 2025.